SIX Swifts players have been named in the Horsham District Football Netball League’s interleague side for Saturday’s game. Senior coach Nick Pekin will lead from the front when his side takes on the Ellinbank and District Football Leauge. The game will be played at Ballarat City Oval, with Pekin excited with what he has seen from his squad. “We have had a few training runs and all in all it has been positive,” he said. “I’ve said all along the players need to buy-in and I’ve wanted the players to really drive the experience as much as possible. I think we have really had that. “We have the guys that want to be there and we haven’t had to be chasing any blokes. “We have the guys on board who want to further and advance their football. “We are feeling confident going into the game.” The Horsham District side will be without a couple of injured guns in Swifts coach Scott Carey and Natimuk United coach Sam Anson. “Injuries are a part of football and that’s the way it goes,” Pekin said. “Scott Carey to his credit has been involved for quite a long time and he is going to be our runner on the day.” Pekin said he was excited to see how the leaders and youngsters come together on the day. “The Swifts players are all leaders and Michael Phelan from Harrow-Balmoral will hopefully come into the side and he is a very good leader,” Pekin said. “Young Jacob Cocks, Todd Lawrence and Liam Jakobi it could be all of their first senior interleague appearances.” In the line-up, the Swifts have the most representatives with six including the interchange, while Edenhope-Apsley and Harrow-Balmoral have four apiece. “It is great to have to have some of our high quality players recognised with their selection,” Carey said. “I am a great supporter of interleague – it is a huge honour for our guys to be named in the team and get a chance to play at a higher level. “There hasn’t really been a time where we have had that many in the team so to have a few blokes in there really reflects how the club is going at the moment.” Pekin said he was not focusing on the opposition but ensuring every member of his side was prepared for the contest. “We have enough to worry about let alone the opposition,” he said. “I wouldn’t know who they have available. I reckon they will have some quick onballers and a couple of gun full-forwards, but a part from that we need to worry about ourselves and making sure we have everyone contributing on the day.”​ Here is the Horsham District Football Netball League senior team named to take to the field on Saturday in Ballarat. B: Jack Vague, Noradjuha-Quantong; Michael Phelan, Harrow-Balmoral; Liam Jakobi, Pimpinio. HB: Dusty Cross, Noradjuha-Quantong; Angus Martin, Laharum; Liam Scott, Swifts. C: Sam McClure, Edenhope-Apsley; Ben Taylor, Swifts; Jakob Cocks, Jeparit-Rainbow. HF: Anthony Close, Harrow-Balmoral; Jeremy Kealy, Edenhope-Apsley; Nathan Koenig, Natimuk United. F: Andrew Cameron, Swifts; Damon Folkes, Swifts; Cameron Bruce, Noradjuha-Quantong. R: Todd Lawrence, Harrow-Balmoral; Nick Pekin, Harrow-Balmoral; Simon Hobbs, Kalkee. Int: Ryan Folkes, Swifts; Bart Nolan, Edenhope-Apsley; Dylan Achison, Edenhope-Apsley; Baillie Batchelor, Kalkee; Matt Healy, Swifts. E: Alex Ridsdale, Natimuk United; Kyle Dumesny, Kalkee.

Swifts named in interleague side | Photos

“Injuries are a part of football and that’s the way it goes,” Pekin said.

“Scott Carey to his credit has been involved for quite a long time and he is going to be our runner on the day.”

Pekin said he was excited to see how the leaders and youngsters come together on the day.

“The Swifts players are all leaders and Michael Phelan from Harrow-Balmoral will hopefully come into the side and he is a very good leader,” Pekin said.

“Young Jacob Cocks, Todd Lawrence and Liam Jakobi it could be all of their first senior interleague appearances.”

In the line-up, the Swifts have the most representatives with six including the interchange, while Edenhope-Apsley and Harrow-Balmoral have four apiece.

“It is great to have to have some of our high quality players recognised with their selection,” Carey said.

“I am a great supporter of interleague – it is a huge honour for our guys to be named in the team and get a chance to play at a higher level.

“There hasn’t really been a time where we have had that many in the team so to have a few blokes in there really reflects how the club is going at the moment.”

Pekin said he was not focusing on the opposition but ensuring every member of his side was prepared for the contest.

“We have enough to worry about let alone the opposition,” he said.

“I wouldn’t know who they have available. I reckon they will have some quick onballers and a couple of gun full-forwards, but a part from that we need to worry about ourselves and making sure we have everyone contributing on the day.”​

Line-up

Here is the Horsham District Football Netball League senior team named to take to the field on Saturday in Ballarat.